That 'A' romance

Chapter 24

<Emily's POV>

I woke up at 5am... I really need water... When I came downstairs, I saw the door of the fridge open, light coming out of it... when I came closer - Xander turned around sipping orange juice in nothing but boxers... uncomfortable... I was truly aware I was staring, and I know he does the same, considering I am in nothing but an oversized t-shirt... we just stranded here for God knows how long, before I got hold of my hormones and showed him away, taking mineral water from the fridge and then a glass from the top cabinet I poured it in and drunk right away... "Hangover much?" He asked, chuckling... "Yeah... I drank like a mad woman yesterday." I chuckled back. "Why are you up so early?" I continued hardly managing to not look anywhere but his eyes... "My plane is in 20 hours; I still have things to do before flying back..." He said, but something about his eyes told me he is not saying something... Although... Why would he? I mean... this is the most normal conversation we ever had...

"You... am... do you..." he sights, "never mind" he said, and now - sadness flickered in his eyes... "Why? If you want to ask something it is a free pass... ask away..." I said... "Do you love him?" He asked... and now, I am regretting my choice of words... what can I say? ... "I-we-I...", I started, not managing to connect words into a sentence... "So, you don't?" He asked softly... the tone was surprising to me... he was nice to me... when yesterday he called me indirectly a whore, he was probably just in a range of emotions... now... looking in those eyes I see the real him, and I don't think he is judging me, that makes me want to kiss him, yet I can't... hate this... truly... I just nod my head...my stupid head.

His eyes flicker desire now... is it my imagination? He takes one step closer... what is happening... "So you want to marry him, yet you don't love him?" He says... I disconnect our eyes... I don't know what to answer..."We were friends in the past. "As those words escaped his mouth, I instantly looked back in the eyes... "We... when I was 5, my family was very much poor, at that time he was looking at me from 10th floor, he literally made some rude comments, bullied me, and although I was so small it was hurting me, but then, when year later my dad's business skyrocketed, he suddenly wanted to be my best friend... he hated Logan too... then he was just using us in school, he talked behind our backs, then , when I was already 14, he made my 1st crush hate me.. sounds childish, but it was enough of the last thread to befriend him. He is not what he pretends to be..." he explained, now being even more close... he was speaking to my soul, and it was getting to me... "He may make you think you are safe with him, that he loves you, that he is an angel, but you shall just wait till his real face comes around... which I don't want you to experience... you are too good for him..." he said, cupping my cheek... I wanted to defend Mike, but I didn't... because the words he pronounced seemed logical and true... I did see red flags, not earning my trust... I just... ignored them, but now... it gets to me... I am aware there is more about all of this...

"How do you know he hasn't changed?" I spoke warmly, still looking in the eyes... At this moment, his eyes told me more than his tongue... "I just know... and don't you think it is strange he never mentioned me to you? Also... he acts as if he doesn't know me..." He said and a memory popped in my mind..." Right... even when I talked about you two... he didn't seem affected..." I spoke... is he not who he is? ... Is it all a mask? ... no... I don't want to believe it... "Listen, Angela, I...I can show you, but you have to trust me on this, okay?" he asked, stroking my cheek with his thumb... the touch... I close my eyes and nod... he removed his hand, taking the warmth with him... "whenever I do something, you have to play along..." he said, I smile... this will be fun, and...sad at the same time, I just hope we are wrong... I really cannot believe the connection is fake... I do not want to be married to a liar, and that is why I will do this... I want to marry a person who trusts me and whom I trust, just like my mom wanted me to... it is for you mom!...

<Copyrighted by MH>

by MH, 19.02.2021